If you had a crystal ball that predicted every mishap and accident before it happened – and maybe the winning lottery numbers – you might not need health insurance.
But life doesn't always work out that way, and health insurance can play an important role in protecting your number one asset in life - your health. If you are young and healthy, you might not need a Gold Hospital policy, but it could still make a lot of sense to have some cover for accidents.
What is accident cover?
Basically, accident cover allows you to avoid public hospital waiting lists and see the doctor of your choice at a private hospital if you require hospitalisation after an accident. At HBF, accident cover is included on our Basic Hospital Plus cover.
HBF defines an accident as:
An unforeseen event, occurring by chance and caused by an external force or object which results in an injury to the body requiring admission to Hospital for medical treatment.
In layman’s terms an accident could be falling off your bike, getting tackled during a footy match, or slipping on water and you need to be hospitalised to treat the injury.
Just for clarity, any illness or condition that develops over time, like heart disease, would not be considered an accident.
If I have an accident, what is covered?
If you have HBF's Basic Hospital Plus cover and have an accident that requires you to be admitted into hospital, you can choose a private hospital for your treatment. This also means potentially avoiding a long public hospital waiting list.
Here is what HBF members are entitled to for agreed services at a Member Plus hospital:
- Covered for your own private room^
- Fully covered for theatre fees
- Prostheses
- In-hospital pharmacy
- Covered for hospital boarders
Normal rules for medicals gaps apply (see your policy documents for more details or call us on 133 423.
When can I use accident cover?
As long as your premium payments are current, you see a Medical Practitioner within seven days of your accident, and you’re admitted to hospital within 90 days of your initial appointment, we may pay benefits under your accident cover.
If you have an accident, here are the things that will need to be ticked off the list before we can get started on your claim.
- Waiting periods
You don't have to wait for long to claim accident cover on Basic Hospital Plus. There is a one-day waiting period, which means you can't claim on the same day you take out the cover, but if you have an accident the next day, you're all good.
- Current cover
You will also need to make sure your premium payments are up to date on the day of your treatment, which means your policy cannot be in arrears.
- Initial medical presentation within seven days
You must be seen by a Medical Practictioner or admitted to hospital for medical treatment within seven days of the accident.
- Admission to hospital for treatment within 90 days
If your doctor says you need hospital treatment (as an admitted patient) as a result of the accident, you must be admitted to a hospital within 90 days of your initial medical presentation after the accident
When can't I use accident cover?
There are a few scenarios where benefits may not be payable, for example, if your premium payments are not up to date when you get treatment, or if the accident occurred as a consequence of your employment.
Remember to always check in with your health fund before you receive any treatment to confirm what you’re covered for.
Is accident cover right for me?
If you're looking for entry-level hospital cover that provides you with accident cover, Basic Hospital Plus provides just that.
But before you decide on cover, make sure you consider your needs – not just the price tag. The best value cover for you is the one that caters to your specific needs.
If you're thinking about planning a family, need some peace of mind or have a few health concerns, we strongly recommend you chat with our friendly team to find the right cover for you.
Need help deciding on health cover?
Tell us a little about yourself, and in 3 minutes we'll find our best cover to suit your needs.
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Disclaimer
^Subject to availability.